Michael Keating / WVXU
Last year, Hamilton County voters approved a tax levy to pay for a massive overhaul in local transit, and some of the changes will be implemented soon. Officials say increased bus frequency on routes, longer hours of operation and better amenities will be an economic driver in the county, in addition to increasing accessibility and improving quality of life.
During a public meeting Tuesday night, officials said some changes will be in effect by May 30. That includes seven routes that will give about 50% of Hamilton County jobs access to 24-hour bus services.
Khaled Shammout, vice president of strategic planning and development, said, So 20,000 jobs will have access to transit through a Reinventing Metro plan. And these 20,000 jobs will total $850 million in annual wages - that s almost a billion dollars in annual wages.